Nathan (Oscar Isaac) has a great pad fit for the CEO of the
largest internet search engine. It appears to fit in with its natural surroundings,
a small wooden cabin at the bottom of a valley. But once you gain access to it,
it takes you a subterranean level filled with glass, steel, fine art and gadgetry.
Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson), a coder for Nathan’s company, has won a lottery to
spend a week with Nathan in his retreat. However, Nathan reveals that Caleb
will be testing out Nathan’s new invention, an A.I. named Ava (Alicia Vikander)
which is capable of passing the Turing Test. Nathan’s house gives the audience
a taste of the themes explored in Ex Machina,
namely what is the line between nature and artificial creation? What separates
us the machines from humans if anything? What are our deepest fears and desires
about artificial intelligence? These are ideas that have been explored in
sci-fi films in the past, but Ex Machina
re-examines them in a fresh and inventive way, unafraid of taking a stringently
analytical approach without becoming obtuse.
To say too much about the plot would ruin the viewing
experience, however, with each new development, new information is revealed
creating further questions. Issues of privacy and sexuality - coupled with
questions of whether feelings and behaviours are innate or learnt - are just a
few matters which arise, causing the audience to look back on the film’s events
with new light. It is a lot to handle for any director, but first-time director
Alex Garland holds it together with a deft hand and a good sense for humour and
thrills, provided in Garland’s own script. Rob Hardy’s cinematography
emphasises the themes in Ex Machina,
lingering on the characters’ reflections in the mirrors and in the glass
covered corridors. Hardy utilises lighting expertly, creating a sense of openness,
cosiness or claustrophobia in the same room.
The central cast of Ex
Machina is exemplary, each actor bringing something different to the table.
Alicia Vikander is captivating as Ava, particularly in her physicality; in one
moment she is perfectly fluid, almost too fluid, in another a head movement is
slightly too stiff to come off as natural. Vikander conveys Ava’s inquisitiveness
and sensitivity flawlessly, there is a scene where Ava puts on clothes over her
‘naked’ body and manages to become even more vulnerable. Domhnall Gleeson plays
the slightly awkward, overly analytical Caleb with charm and substance,
becoming less certain of himself and what is happening as the film progresses. Oscar
Isaac as Nathan is languorously arrogant with a bruising sense of humour, belying
an uncomfortable and sinister side to him.
Ex Machina is a
bright, thoughtful sci-fi film, filled with talented performances and suspense.
0 comments:
Post a Comment